Juno Recommends Reggae Classics July 2021

Review: 
The Specials are real UK national treasures, aren't they? And rightly so. Alexis Petridis has even gone so far as to say their standout single 'Ghost Town' is the second greatest UK single to have ever been released. Again, it's hard to really argue with that one. It was a UK chart topper at time of release and speaks eloquently of the urban decay, unemployment and ongoing racial tensions of the period. Sound familiar? Sadly, you once again have to agree. This 40th Anniversary Edition has been mastered and cut at half-speed for extra oomph.

Review: George Dekker was a founding member of The Pioneers, a hit reggae group who'd plenty of UK chart success with big tunes like 'Long Shot Kick de Bucket,' 'Let Your Yeah be Yeah' and 'Sweet Inspiration'. Here, for a special Record Store Day 20210 release, we get a remake of 1968 tunes 'Nana.' It first came on the Trojan label and is a highly sought after original that fetches plenty. It's a super sweet tune with lazy horns and a swaggering riddim. On the backside is a version with MC the Oxman and legendary Studio One and Bob Marley trombonist Vin Gordon. This one is a sympathetic version that only tweaks the signal a little.

Review: Harlem Shuffle Records mission to legitimately reissue killer cuts from the sixties and seventies continues apace here with a pair of tunes that were originally published separately on two of Trojan's labels, Bigshot and Explosion. Both jams are truly in demand and often fetch eye watering prices so it's great news for fans that both have been put on one tidy 7". Rudy Mills's 'John Jones' has had millions of views on YouTube and is a yearning bit of ska and lovers rocker with a swaggering groove and yearning vocal work. The flip has the lovely 'Bombshell' by The Crystalites as a very special instrumental.

Review: Before he called time on his lengthy career in 1982, legendary ska trombonist Emmanuel "Rico" Rodriguez became a regular contributor to the Two Tone label, recording two albums for the Coventry-based imprint. Both are now 40 years old - hence this reissue of the second, Jama Rico. Unlike its predecessor, That Man's Forward, Jama Rico looks further afield for inspirations, with the trombonist's usual easy-going reggae and ska instrumentals being joined by a handful of tracks that draw inspiration from West African rhythms and spaced-out jazz-funk. As a result, it's arguably one of his most vibrant and interesting solo sets, while the inclusion of the Special AKA on final track 'Easter Island' highlights his link with the Specials (famously, Rodriguez performed on 'Message to You, Rudy').

Review: Trojan Records is one of the most iconic labels in the world. Its vast discography takes in countless essential tracks, crucial albums and venerated moments in reggae history. One if its most significant collections is this, The Story of Trojan. The compilation arguably changed the British public's perception of Jamaican music outside its hardcore Affo-Caribbean communities as it presents such a superb overview of the islands musical developments. The bumper triple vinyl collection comes with a hardback book sleeve and plenty of vital vintage ska, rock steady and reggae sounds.

Review: Harlem Shuffle Records is on an admirable mission to reissue amazing 60s and 70s sounds on a fully legitimate basis. This one from Lloyd & Glen actually landed in 1967 on the Jamaican Comet label. It was never issue on these shores on vinyl, until now. The lead single is brilliantly produced and strikes a mythic party pose with heavy drums but flamboyant horns and expressive vocals. The lyrics, too, are tight and concise and are part of the reason the tune is so sought after today. The flipside 'What You've Got' is another great track by Lloyd and Glen with a big beat and more great horn work.

Review: Before he called time on his lengthy career in 1982, legendary ska trombonist Emmanuel "Rico" Rodriguez became a regular contributor to the Two Tone label - recognition of his role in the rise of the Jamaican sound before he relocated to London in the mid 1960s. Rodriguez recorded two albums for the Coventry imprint in 1981, both of which have now been reissued in remastered "40th anniversary editions". That Man's Forward, the first of these, naturally puts Rodriguez at the heart of the action, with his distinctive trombone parts - plus some rather good sax solos - rising above an easy-going blend of reggae, dub, ska and rocksteady instrumentals.

Review: Leonard Dillon aka Ethiopian is a bonafide reggae legend who was backed by a top shelf selection of musicians for this previously unreleased album. Omnivore Recordings have acquired Nighthawk Records and Blackheart Music Publishing which is what has made this possible, and they do a fine job with it. The original album was recorded in 1987 when Leonard had already penned two great albums. This one was inspired by hearing tales of a Jamaican drummer on tour who talked of playing with a hot studio band. Leonard wanted to recreate that, and so followed this all-star session band.

Review: Here is the second single on Skankin' Society, a new sub label of Geneva's Fruits Records. 'Stamp 'N' Go' by Antonin Chatelain and Mathias Liengme (aka The 18th Parallel) is instrumental ska with a roots feel. A horns line that will stay in your head, with the addition of mind-blowing solos by talented musicians such as Anthony Dietrich Buclin, Michael Borcard and Alexandre Schneiter, not to mention the legendary Leroy 'Horsemouth' Wallace on the drums. The B side features an alternative filter mix by Roberto Sanchez.